Richard A. "Dick" Lombardo's Obituary
Richard A. Lombardo passed away at Francis House on March 22, 2018. He was born in Syracuse on October 7, 1934 to Helen and Salvatore (Sam) Lombardo. Educated in city schools, he was a 1953 graduate of North High School. After earning a BS at Le Moyne College (class of ’57), he spent the following 2 years at Our Lady of the Angels Seminary near Buffalo in preparation for the priesthood. Deciding that this calling was not what he wanted, he left the seminary and completed a Master’s in Education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Following this, he embarked on his teaching career with elementary aged emotionally disabled students in Huntington, Long Island. Returning to Syracuse, he next taught /counseled junior high students confined at the Hillbrook Detention Center. In 1976 he began a college teaching career at Onondaga Community College which ended with his retirement in 2011. By then, Dick had achieved the rank of full Professor as well as many years in a leadership role as the Chairperson of the Criminal Justice Department. In 1995 Dick published the 1st edition of his book, “They Never Asked To Be Born”. Dick received many honors as a professor; most notably in 1993 he was awarded the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. For many years, every police officer who trained in Syracuse was his student. One of his most sought after courses at OCC was Ethics in Police Work which he created and personally taught. This is not to mention a reputation that filled all of his classes to overflowing every semester. A consummate teacher, Dick fervently believed in and practiced teaching the whole person. He was aware of every student in his class. If there was one or more whose ability he recognized, he would engage the student to find ways to help each succeed. If he sensed that a student seemed to be struggling, he would call or confer with him or her, often providing advice on services that the student could access and even on occasion, providing lunch money out of his own pocket. As a result of this mentoring there are many students who remained his friend for life.
Dick was an usher or best man at 30 of his friends’ weddings, but never married. Not having had children of his own, he was “Uncle Dick” to a myriad of his friends’ children, Godfather to several, always a friendly ear to any who needed a bit of advice, a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen when “mom or dad doesn’t really understand”. Dick was that person you always wanted at your party, a self-trained musician, storyteller and all around fun guy to spend time with. Blessed with a wonderful sense of humor, he was many times called upon to be master of ceremonies at OCC Faculty events. There were few who ever escaped his sharp wit at these events.
For many years he owned and summered at his cottage on Lake Ontario, where he was known as “The Mayor of Ramona Beach”; again, delighting in sharing his favorite spot with his many friends and their families, which always included a stop at the Port Ontario Flea Market for some bargain hunting. Over the years he managed to acquire many beautiful antiques, including a collection of “Flow Blue China” without comparison. He spent many years as a member of the Pompeian Players, once starring in the lead of their production of “Promises Promises”. Dick was a fine artist with many beautiful paintings to his credit. There was once a collection of sculptures that Dick made from driftwood collected at Ramona Beach on display at OCC.
Dick is survived by several cousins, Kathy (Speach) Ciciarelli, Terry (Speach) Stone, Janet (Dell) Donoghue, Sam Dell, Jr., Beatrice (Verzino) Hermann, Dolores (Giannuzzi) King, Diane (Giannuzzi) Selleck, Mary Cay (Lombardo) Phelps, and Roseanne (Lombardo) Hearn.
This remarkably talented man will be greatly missed by the many friends he attracted throughout his life. “Rest in Peace Dear Friend”.
Dick’s family and friends would like to express their gratitude to his compassionate home care companions: Donna Marie Konseck, Gina Marcely and Florence Stanton as well as to the dedicated staff on 6 South at Crouse Hospital and at Francis House; all of whom provided Dick with loving comfort at the end of his journey.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a Funeral Mass in celebration of Richard’s life at 10:00 am in Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter Church. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum. Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13208.
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